With a fast-paced start to the match, Al Ain showed clear dominance in the opening minutes. El-Shahat scored the team’s first goal in the eighth minute from a shot from outside the box, thanks to a slight deflection off an Ajman defender. This marked his third goal in just five games.

By the the time Ajman had begun to come back into the game, Swedish forward Marcus Berg scored Al Ain’s second from Caio’s assist. The goal was Berg’s 12th in the league and his 13th across all competitions.

Only 10 minutes later, Al Ain added a third goal to their tally as the 26-year-old scored his fourth goal for Al Ain from a great one-two with Rayan Yaslam. Ajman attempted to hinder Al Ain by making a substitution and adding another defender, but the team was relentless and added yet another goal through Caio.

The second half began in almost the same manner as Rayan Yaslam scored Al Ain’s fifth goal of the match as El-Shahat turned provider. The wonderful one touch strike marked Yaslam’s second goal of the season. Though the match started to calm down, El-Shahat assisted once again as Ahmed Khalil scored Al Ain’s sixth goal .

In the final minutes of the match, El-Shahat completed his hat-trick but had to be stretchered off the pitch right after as he appeared to have injured his knee while scoring the goal.

The 7-0 result is the first time since May 10, 2012 that Al Ain have won a game by at least a seven goal differential. The result also means Al Ain move into first place with 35 points from 15 games while Ajman sit in sixth place.

Al Ain will next face Emirates Club on February 8 as part of the 16th week of the Arabian Gulf League.